The 12 largest supermarkets and retailers in the United States are failing to curb their hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) emissions, according to a report compiled by the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA).
Dubbed the “dirty dozen” the worst-ranked retailers were Costco and Whole Food Markets.
The EIA is an independent, non-profit organisation which examined Target, Walmart and the Delhaize Group, whose brands include Food Lion and Bottom Dollar Food.
Hydrofluorocarbons are a class of compounds used in commercial refrigeration and air conditioning units. They are the fastest growing greenhouse gas, and by 2050 will make up nine per cent of global C02 emissions, the EIA said.
“The results from the survey are not just disappointing but shocking given that climate-friendly alternative technologies are available in the marketplace,” said Allan Thornton, EIA president.
There are steps being taken. For example, Whole Foods is opening an HFC-free store in Brooklyn later this year, and several stores have moved towards using a combination of HFCs and natural refrigerants in their cooling systems.
Wal-Mart has 125 stores and two Sam’s Club locations using the hybrid technology.
But all 12 stores lag far behind their counterparts in Canada, Japan and the European Union.
The nation’s largest retailer, Walmart, is taking steps to reduce its overall emissions.
Christopher Schraeder, senior manager of sustainability communications at Walmart, said the retailer is committed to reducing its carbon footprint with 80 per cent of its direct GHG (Greenhouse Gas) footprint coming from energy used to power its buildings, including HVAC, lighting and refrigeration.
"By designing whole-system refrigeration solutions, we are working to address both the refrigerant gas pollution and the energy intensity of these systems,” he said.
Retailers were judged on criteria including their use of HFCs and corporate policy regarding their phase out and reduction.
The EIA recommends retailers begin reducing HFCs by 2015.
The EPA estimates that leakage from an average supermarket refrigeration system is 1,556 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions a year, which is the equivalent of the greenhouse gas emissions of 324 passenger cars.
President Barack Obama highlighted the reduction of HFCs as a key part of his June 2013 Climate Action Plan.
The report states HFC emissions are expected to triple by 2030 and double from their current level of 1.5 per cent to three per cent of greenhouse gas emissions by 2020.
The European Parliament is hopeful that it can reach a decision with the Council of Europe in time to see new F-Gas regulations unveiled before Christmas 2013.
Companies eagerly await a decision to provide them with direction on F-Gas Regulations, retailers said they require some direction.